Local infant defies the odds, inspires others

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo (KKCO) One year old Jason Gutierrez suffers from a congenital heart disease called "hypoplastic left heart syndrome." It means he only has half a heart. Jason has had two open heart surgeries, a G-tube surgery, and five catheter procedures, and is still fighting. Now Jason's fight has taken him farther than ever before, and he needs help getting there. Jason's parents say his doctors in Denver can't offer much hope, and he's going to Stanford California for a second opinion.

"When he was in the hospital he gave off an energy to everybody that came to see him, we had many family members, many friends that came to see us in Denver; and just the energy that they gave him, and the inspiration that he still is to everybody that meets him is amazing," says Mary Kincaid, Jason's mother.

1 in 100,000 infants have Jason's specific condition. 1 in 100 babies are born with a congenital heart defect; it's the number one killer of infants. Jason's condition will require treatment for the rest of his life.

(4) Attend a silent auction and door prize event at Ed Bozarth Chevrolet Grand Junction Saturday, August 25th from 2:30-4:30pm. The event will be held in the conference room. A 2004 Kawasaki KX65 dirt bike will be raffled off. Raffle ticket prices are $5 for 1, $10 for 3, and $20 for 7. The dirt bike raffle ticket is $50.

(5.) Attend a car wash at Hooter's Grand Junction this Sunday, August 26th from 11am-2pm.

(6.) Stop by any of the following restaurants or businesses and look for the bins to donate money for Jason.

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